Michie Mee - Around the Way Girl
It’s hard to call it these days, either our hip hop heroes are everything we expect them to be and still inspirational, or they’ve gotten a bit too big for their pedestals. During a brief stint at a day job this 
summer, I made sure to do my part and channel the public funds available to me to pull together Montreal’s biggest Honey Jam to date, featuring Lyrical Lounge favorite Eternia, and hometown heroines Nantali Indongo (don’t sleep on this Nomadic Massive-ly affiliated woman, officially the illest chick in the 514) and Meduza, with the groundbreaking headliner and subject of this interview, Michie Mee. She’s funny, she’s obliging, and she swears by Millie Jackson and Jamaican patties (no bias towards chicken or beef, but she loves home cooking and that of her traveling chef, best). I’m happy to deliver on a promise that I made when I first started giving my ten cents to this here e-zine.* - Angelica LeMinh
ALM: How do you stay so damn young-looking? Probably not plastic surgery, but if it came to it, would you consider that?
Michie Mee: (laughs) I attribute it all to good genes (thanks to Ms Joyce the Bosslady and my daddy Chester) and a great Jamaican diet, just ask Usain Bolt or Donovan Bailey. Under the knife, good heavens, NO! The most extreme I’ll go is Proactive skin care**! My Granny is cute and natural!
ALM: OK, trailblazer in Canadian hip hop, I have to ask you what you think about women in hip hop, and what you think that next level ish is…
Michie Mee: There’s always been a power imbalance, and the choices that we’ve had have been more limited and affect us more as a smaller community. Those that repped with major deals brought on the spotlight, but there was always drama and focus on sales without an equal look at marketing. Each label would sign a token female to their crew, and there was a lot of fires of competition being fanned. The next level is following through, I want girls to dream big regardless of their circumstances. It’s not about how we fall, but how we pick ourselves up and keep it moving.
ALM: Why the long hiatus, and is it about to be over? What’s the ETA of the release date of the latest material?
Michie Mee: The hiatus been over, I stay working privately until I have a hot song and now that I have the right team, we’re just getting started. I knew it was time to start the process over and I wasn’t ready to go out without a second chance at recording to prove myself. My fans never giving up counts for something too. The album should be out in 2009 but no rush, no fuss, just straight singles to remember!
ALM: You’re also an innovator when it comes to being a rapper turned actor, is there a dream role/leading man that you have? What are some recent onscreen appearances? What are the parallels between the two industries for you?
Michie Mee: Thanks, you! I would love to star opposite Will Smith, Terrance Howard, Jamie Foxx, P Diddy, and Maestro Fresh Wes. I just finished Kink In My Hair and I’m currently staying sharp in acting classes, doing voice work, and auditioning. The parallels are being able to let yourself go while entertaining others and meeting great people along the way. They are both blessings of jobs if you have the opportunity to appreciate every moment.
ALM: You have lived through so many styles, from Raggadeth to the new single that taps into that whole T-Pain electro empire, what is the unifying thread that keeps things you?
Michie Mee: I miss my band so much and loved playing with them! I was born in Jamaica and made in Canada, so that informs my unique perspective, delivery, and dialect. I am definitely a product of my environment. You can never forget where you came from because it helps you get to where you’re going. I love writing and being in the studio, as well as working with different producers, and hearing other people’s creativity with my voice. If a reference to T-Pain is necessary to define the song’s hotness, cool, but it’s Munga Honorable (reggae artist and producer) and it it’s hot, I do it in my sleep…..
ALM: Are there any producers in particular who have your attention right now? 9th Wonder? Slakah (the Beatchild, a true Canadian urban legend, responsible for soul-full contributions for everyone from Divine Brown to Ebrahim to Shad K)?
Michie Mee: I’m a bit green on 9th Wonder, and I’ve heard Slakah’s name but don’t know too much about his work. I will look into it now. I usually go more on vibe than names, the substance of the sound, but I’m always investigating new talent. I stay loyal to DJ Scratch, Clark Kent, and DJ Premier, their production is straight fire! I also have some great friends in my back pocket, so I may even have to drop two albums to fully represent all the LOVE! Stay tuned…
ALM: Collaborations have become very important, what have been the most crucial to you throughout your career?
Michie Mee: The most important collabs I’ve done have been with Scott La Rock, KRS-1, and MC Lyte, Chuck D, Chris Rouse, Esthero, and Jenna G. From Juno Awards to US elite, I look forward to working with everyone again and whenever our time and schedules can coordinate.
ALM: Do you still do a show on CKLN? Can you comment on the recent changes at the station? How important has community radio been for you and is it still relevant?
Michie Mee: CKLN has changed, we’ve been off the air for a while now, and I’ve been working so I have no news to add to what you know. Community radio will always be necessary as alternative culture because it reflects the fact that we are a country of immigrants and commercial radio doesn’t cover nearly enough news and events to be relevant or representative. Community radio is a building block of foundation and a measuring stick of reality.***
ALM: Do you have any plans for a clothing line? Perfume? Reality show? Any gimmick? Your opinion on that, keeping in the public eye by any means necessary, is it a help or a hindrance?
Michie Mee: Those opportunities sound easy to come by, but they are offered to a privileged few. I welcome anything that brings income to help me and my family survive, bring it all on! In a world of downloads, every little bit helps an artist, and there are many other ways to contribute to society and make a living so I understand when folks choose to do so.
ALM: What’s the best show/crowd you’ve ever rocked?
Michie Mee: It’s still to come! I love the old skool love that I get mixed with the new material, so it’s only going to get better from here. Many have grown up with Me(e) and they sing the new material with their kids, nieces, nephews, god kids, and it keeps me cool, and current. I’m enjoying the response of the next generation as their parents’ eyes roll. Yes, I’m back and have entered your homes and ears again! And by the way, your dad is lying, I didn’t date him! (laughs)
ALM: Do you believe in five year plans and if so, what’s yours?
Michie Mee: Yes, but it’s private (winks). Stay tuned though: www.myspace.com/michiemeemedia
ALM: Has anyone signed on to write your life story yet? Need a volunteer?
Michie Mee: I’ve been asked, but I’m not finished contributing to it myself yet! Thanks though, I’ll keep that in mind.
For anyone seeking proof that dreams do come true, some things can stay the same and evolve, and it’s never too late to start or stop, but it’s crucial to stand by your decisions and follow through, dammit! In an insecure world of skepticism and drama, it’s comforting to know that some people can still reflect the value of staying power with grace, humility, and the unbreakable spirit of making the most of every opportunity.
**wouldn’t Puffy be proud? ***bigups to Spitfiyah, the women of colour radio show on CKUT 90.3 (last Wednesday of the month, 6-7pm) that has invited me on-air to wax poetic and interview Michie and promote the concert.
